Charging device for concrete mixers



Jan.l2,1932. P A R CHARGING DEVICE FOR CONCRETE MIXERS Filed Sept. 15,1928 Patented Jan. 12, 1932 nmrso STATES PATENT OFFICE JOHN P. EABER, OFDUNELL NEW JERSEY, ASSIGNOR T RANSOME CONCRETE MACHINERY COMPANY, OFPLAINFIELD, NEW JERSEY, A CORPORATION on NEW JERSEY Application filedSeptember 13, 1928.

' V The present improvements relate primarily to charging devices toconcrete mixers, but are not limited to such appllcation, and may be.used for charging any mixer or other device in which solids are to beelevated and dischar ed, and liquids supplied thereto to be mingledtherewith. I

In devices adapted for preparing freshly mixed concrete for placement,it has become of increasing importance that a definite proportion ofwater and dry aggregates, etc. be maintained for each given batch. Furthermore, the setting of the freshly mixed concrete is accelerated bythe addition of a predetermined amount of calcium chloride solutionwhich should be in proportion to the measured volume of water for eachbatch. Inspection requirements as well as State specificationsfrequently and almost universally call for the addition of anaccelerator of the type aforementioned. As the proportions for eachbatchto be mixed, may vary, it is essential that a measuring means forthe water, and calcium chloride be provided, which not only willaccurately measure the volumes to bedischarged into the mixer but alsowill be rugged and durable, simple to operate and have a minimum ofparts.

; The primary object among others, is to provide a more efiicient,dependable and certain means for measuring the quantity of liquid,discharging it at the proper time and in the proper manner and refillingthe liquid receptacle, and one in which the operation of elevating andcharging solids, in the present case fconcrete aggregates, and loweringthe loader for another charge automatically discharges, refills andmeasures the charge of liquid. 1

.A further object is to provide a simple, accurate and automatic primaryas well as auxiliary liquid supply means for a mixer, op-

erable under the influence of the loading skip movements.

A further ObJQCt is to provide a simple, ac-- curate and automatic meanswhereby a measured quantity of calcium chloride solution maybe added toa concrete mixture, operable under the influence of the m xingmechanlsm.

Other ob ects and advantages of the pres- CHARGING DEVICE FOR CONCRETEMIXERS Serial No. 305,629.

out improvements will be apparent to those skilled in the art, uponreference to the ac companying drawings in which The figure illustratesa mixing apparatus embodying one form of the present improvements.

The mixing drum or mixer 1 is of the rotary non-tiltable type, but thepresent improvements may be used in connection with tilting drums ordrums of other description. The mixer 1, having the charging end 2 anddischarging end 3 is suitably mounted on frame 1 which in turn isdisposed on a suitable frame 5, which latter may have traction means(not shown) as well as power means (not shown) for operating theelements of the apparatus as is well. known.

Mounted in slightly elevated position on the frame 5, is a mixingreceptacle 6, having agitator or mixing blades 7, which may be manuallyactuated by handle 8, or automatically operable by rod 9, gears 10, 11'and shaft 12 which latter is operatively connected, with or without aclutch as desired, to the mixer 1, or power means therefor. A

storage tank 13 is preferably, although not necessarily, disposed 011frame 5, at a lower level than receptacle 6, whereby liquid from thelatter may pass under its own head into tank 13 through pipe 14: havinga control valve 15.

Disposed intermediate the mixer 1 and tank 13, is a reservoir 16defining a pump cylinder, which communicates with said tank through pipesection 17 and with the charging mouth 2 ofthe mixer by pipe 18. Asillustrated, these pipes are equipped with suitably disposed checkvalves 19 and 20 respectively. A plunger 21, mounted in reservoir 16, isadapted to reciprocate therein and is disposed in air tight relation tothe inner wall thereof, whereby the arrangement functions as a singleaction pump as hereinafter described. In the present illustration theleft hand face of reservoir 16 is axially pcrforated at 22 toaccommodate actuating rod 23, one end of which is fixed to plunger 21and the other end pivotally connected to link 24, said link in turnbeing pivotally connected to actuating lever 25.

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The lever 25 is vertically disposed for transmitting horizontal slidingmovement to the plunger 21. The lower end of said lever is pivotallyconnected at 26 to an adjustable block 2"? while the upper end 25thereof is free and located in the path of travel of dog 28 suitablymounted on loading skip 38. The block 27 is axially bored and internallythreaded forv travel on screw rod 29, which is mounted in bearings 30and 31 for rotary but not lon 'itudinal movement. Upon turn ing knobs 32or 33 it is obvious that the block 27 may be caused to travel to theright or left as desired, carrying with it the lever fulcrum 26. Atension spring 34 is secured at one. end to any fixed point, forexample,

frame 5, while its other end is secured'to lever 25 at 35 asillustrated. Although the foregoing lever arrangement and ad ust ngmeans therefor is preferably used and i'sreliable it is obvious thatother modified forms will occur to those familiar with the art.

7 Referring now to the primary water supply means,'the presentimprovements preferably include a'measuring tank of the type describedand claimed in thecopending application of George T. Allen, filed Aug.27, 1926, Serial No. 131,822. Reference may be had to that applicationfor details of construct-i-on. Broadly described this arrangeinentincludes a water measuring tank 39 mounted on the loading skip 38,pivotally mounted at 32', having a water supply pipe l0 with a valve 41controlling the inlet therefrom to the. tank 39. 'Said valve 41 isequipped with an adjustable float 42 on the stem thereof whereby as thewater rises in tank 39, the float will function ,to close off thesupply. This float 42 may be adjustably positioned along thevalve'stemso that only a predetermined measured amount of water may enter tank Asthe skip 38 18 elevated by power cable 43, the measured amount of waterin the tank is automatically dissolution isobtaine'd. This solution maythen betransferred to the storage tank 13 by opening valve, 15, andwhile the charging operation of the mixer is taking place, an addi-'tional calcium chloride solution may be pre pared in receptacle 6wlthout interfering with the normal. functioning of the mixer. At thistime, tl1e plunger2'l is in the position illustrated, i. e., the lefthand portion of reservoir 7 16, and the calcium chloride solution fromtank 13 may enter said reservoir under its own head, through check valve1.9,until the reservoir 16 in advance of the plunger 21 is full and somesolution may even enter pipe 18 until the level therein is the same asthat in tank 13. j The system for supplying the auxiliary liquid to themixer is now ready for its adjustments, although the latter may be madeprior to the charging of the tank and reservoir, if desired. Theadjustableblock 27 may now be set by actuating screw 29and a suitablescale may be provided ifde-sired. Movement of the block 27 will alterthe position of the fulcrum 26 thereby correspondingly altering theposition ofthe free end of lever 25; It is notable however, that thepiston or plunger 21 does not partake of this movement but remains atthe left hand limit of itstravel under the urge of spring 34. 'Bylocating block 27 to the left of its illustrated position the stroke ofthe plunger is shortened, while locating it totheright of itsillustrated position will lengthen the plunger stroke. These adjustmentsobviously change the angle at which the operating lever 25 stands. I i

The primary liquid supply means, viz.

tank 39, is setto admit thereto the measured amount of water which istogo into the mixer 1 along'withthe dry-aggregates in the skip 38. -Themovable pivot 26 is set accordingly, .asthe amount of calcium chloridesolution to be added is in a fixed proportion to the measured amount ofwater in. tank 39. This ratio is usually three gallons ofthe sollltlOllto one cubic yard offconcrete. The amount of Watermeasured in tank 39 isin a fixed proportion to the dry aggregates. In iew of this, it isapparentthat the liquids must be carefully. and accurately measured,both with respect to each other aswell as to the dry ingredient. f I VUpon operation, the skip 38 is raised by cable43 until the dryaggregates in the skip 38 and the water in tank 39 discharge gravityintothe mixer 1. During thismovement, the dog 28. on skip 38 describes anarouate course and contacts the free'end of lever 25 forcing it to theright about fulcrum 26, and at substantially the same time thrustingplunger'2lto the right in opposition to spring 34, thereby positivelyforcing a quantity of the calcium chloride solutionin reservoir 16 outthrough pipe 18 into the mixer 1. At this time check'valve '19 closesand prevents rethe length of stroke of the plunger is varied.

' This arrangement thejrefore automatically measures the quantity ofsolution forcedinto the mixer at each advance stroke of the plungtionedAllen application.

movement of skip 38, withdraws dog 28 and er, one stroke being made eachtime the loading skip 1s ra1sed.'

Upon return of the skip 38 to lower position for receiving anothercharge of aggre-' gates, the tank 39 is again automatically charged, byreason of the positive opening of valve 41 as described in the aforemen-This lowering concurrently spring 34 functions to return specifications.

lever 25 and plunger 21 to normal position.

During this movement, the plunger 21 is traveling to the left inreservoir 16, which establishes a suction therein and positively withdraws a new supply of solution from tank 13 through valve 19 into thereservoir to be ready for the subsequent discharge therefrom.

It is therefore notable that the volume of the primary water supply maybe measured, and the volume of the auxiliary calcium chloride supply maybe measured according to Furthermore, the adjustments may be setaccording to the specifica tions and need not thereafter be attended to,since the entire charging and discharging operations throughout areautomatic and op-- erable, without the attention of any operator, underthe influence of the movements of the skip 38.

Although the embodiment chosen for illus-- tration for carrying out thepresent improvements is preferable, it is apparent that other means maybe employed. The adjustment of pivot 26 may be accomplished by mechanismother than that illustrated. Furthermore, the measuring of the calciumchloride solution may be accomplished by employing the tank 39 mountedon the skip 38 according to the aforementioned Allen application and theprimary water supply means may comprise a measuring tank of knownconstruction lo cated on the frame 4 or 5. The present improvementsfurther contemplate the location of both the Water supply means and thecalcium chloride solution supply means on the skip for movementtherewith. Such an arrangement may be accomplished by having two tanks39 on the skips, with the necessary structural details for measuring,included, or a single tank on the skip with a dividing partitiontherein, forming a water compartment and a calcium chloride compartment.

The present improvements have many advantages which will be apparent tothose familiar with the construction and operation of devices of thischaracter. An advantage not apparent resides in the fact that anengineer or inspector may fix the float 42 so as to limit the quantityof water used in each r batch of concrete, and may fix the adjustableblock 27 so as to limit the quantity of calcium chloride used in eachbatch of concrete, and may apply thereto for use in connection therewitha locking device which will insure against the use of an inappropriatequantity of water or calcium chloride. operator also having fixed theposition of the float, as well as the position of the adj ustable block,and consequently the quantity of water and calcium chloride solutionused with each batch, need give the apparatus no further attention andcan be assured that the proportionate quantities will be maintained anddischarged automatically into the mixer with each load of solidaggregates.

I claim:

1. The combination with a mixer and a pivotally mounted skip movablefrom a re ceiving position to a discharging position where it dischargesinto the mixer, of a liquid measuring mechanism including flow induc-'ing means for charging and discharging same, adjustable means forcontrolling said means, all so constructed and arranged to operate underthe influence of said skip.

2. In a mixing device, the combination with a mixer, of a movableloading device movable from a receiving position to a dischargingposition where it discharges into the mixer, liquid supply means forsaid mixer including av mixing receptacle and a storage tank, commonmeans for withdrawing a predetermined quantity of liquid from said tankand for forcing it to said mixer, said last mentioned means beingresponsive to raising and lowering movements of said loading device.

3. In a mixing device, the combination with a mixer, of a pivotallymounted skip movable from a receiving position to a discharging positionwhere it discharges into the mixer, liquid supply means for said mixerincluding a mixing receptacle and a storage tank, adjustable meansintermediate said skip and tank for positively incepting the flow of apredetermined quantity of liquid from said tank and positivelydischarging a measured quantity thereof to said mixer, said lastmentioned means being responsive to pivotal movements of said skip.

4. In a device of the character described the combination of a mixer, amovable loading device adapted. to receive and discharge dry aggregatesinto said mixer, a primary liquid supply means adapted to discharge intosaid mixer, a secondary liquid supply means adapted to discharge intosaid mixer, both of said means being responsive to movements of saidloading device and one of said means comprising positive replenishingand discharging mechanism therefor.

5. In a device of the character described, the combination of a mixer, amovable loading device adapted to receive and discharge dry aggregatesinto said mixer, a liquid supply means for said mixer including astorage The h tank and a communicating reservoir," a j'vplun'ger'inssaid reservoir and means for actu- ,ating said plunger,operated bysaid loading device. L v

6. In a device of the character described, the comblnation of a mixer, amovable loadingdevice adapted to'receive and discharge dry-aggregatesinto said mixer, a liquid supply means for said mixer including astorage, tank and a communicating reservoir, plunger: in said reservoir,means for actuating said plunger operated by said loading device andadjustable means for varying the stroke of the plunger. 1

l 7. In combination with a mixer andloading'device therefor, a calciumchloide attachment operable under the influence of one ofitheaforementioned elements and campusing atank for calcium chloridesolution, a pump for withdrawing solution from saic tank and conveyingsame to themixer and adpistable means tor predeternnmng the vol- 1 'umedischarged by said pump.

- actuating means for said plunger, means for adjusting the travel ofsaid plunger, sa1d actuating means being positioned and constructedformovement in response to movements of the loading skip of a concretemixer. '93 Ina device of the character described he combinationot mixer,a movable loading device adapted to receive and discharge :dryaggregates into said mixer, a primary liquid supply means movable withsaid load- :ingdevice and adapted to discharge into said mixer, asecondary. liquid supply means adapted to discharge i-ntosaid mixer eachof said means including a liquid measuring mechanismand each of saidmeans being automatically operable n response to movements of sa1dloading device.

10. In a deviceof the character describee the combination of a mixer, apivotally.

mounted skip adapted to receive and discharge dryaggr'egates into saidmixer, a primary liquid supply means for said mixer "mounted onsaid skipand adapted to be charged and discharged under the influence of the skipmovements, a secondary liquid supply means adapted to'discharge intosaid mixer, each of said means including a liquid measuring, mechanismand said secondary meansbeing operable in synchronism with said skip. Iv V 11. In a device of the character described,

the combination of a mixer, a movable loading device adapted to receiveand discharge dry' aggregates .-1nto sa1d mixer, a liquid supplymean'sfor sa1d mixer including a storage tank, a reservoir, a valvecontrolled conduit communicating between said tank and reservoir,a'valve controlled conduit communicating between said reservoirandmixer, com- ,mon 'mechanical members for alternately withdrawing liquidfrom said tank to said reservoir and for expelling said liquid-from'said reservoir to said mixer and actuating means for said membersresponsive to movements of said loading devlce.

12. The-combination with a mixer, and a movable loading i devicetherefor, ofrpump means for conveying-liquid from a source, of

supply to said mixer opcrable'in response to raising and loweringmovements of said dc? vice whereby movement in onedirection-accomplishes a suction stroke and in another direction createsa force stroke.

Witness my hand this 11th day of Septem ber, 1928, County of Middlesex,State of New Jersey. 7 v

I JOHN'R'FABER.

